For many years the Irish Chamber Orchestra only had string players under contract.


In 2008 this expanded to include oboes and horns.

The orchestra currently has 20 players under contract, but in most concerts the ensemble grows to include extra players - more strings, wind, brass and percussion.

ICO core players

Violins - Katherine Hunka (leader), Nicola Sweeney (deputy leader), Andre Swanepoel (principal 2nd), Diane Daly, Oonagh Keogh, Ioana Petcu-colan, Louis Roden, Ken Rice, Cliodhna Ryan.

Violas - Joachim Roewer (principal), Cian o Duil, Lisa Grosman, Mark Coates-Smith

Cellos - Currently Auditioning (principal), Sangashura

Bass - Malachy Robinson

Horns - James Palmer, Stephen Nichols

Oboe - Dan Bates